MANKATO, Minn. - The Wildcats traveled to Mankato and earned two of three points with a shootout win on Friday night. The game goes down as a 2-2 tie with the Wildcats earning the extra point, snapping a four-game losing streak against the Mavericks.

Matvei Kabanov scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period and then finished off the game with a nifty move in the third round of the shootout. Grant Slukynsky opened the shootout scoring in the second round before Kabanov sealed it. 

The 'Cats scored their two goals in the final two minutes of the second period, opened by Jack Perbix scoring his first goal of the season. Connor Eddy, Aiden Gallacher, and Artem Shlaine all picked up assists on the evening, and Beni Halasz made 22 saves (.917 SV%).

The 'Cats now move to 8-12-3 overall and 6-8-1 with 20 points in CCHA play. The Mavericks move to 12-9-4 overall and 8-5-2 with 27 points.

Cat Nips

• Jack Perbix opened the scoring for the 'Cats, registering his first of the season (1-2--3)
• Matvei Kabanov gave the 'Cats a 2-1 lead going into the third, scoring his third goal of the season and second in three games. Kabonov also scored the shootout winner
• Connor Eddy earned an assist, bringing his point total to 10 (4-6--10) and tying his total points from last season in 12 fewer games
• Aiden Gallacher registered an assist, moving the blueliners' point total to seven (3-4--7)
• Artem Shlaine picked up his 12th assist of the season (6-12--18), his second point in the last three games
• The 'Cats were excellent on the PK, going 4/5 and only allowing three shots on target 
• Grant Slukynsky scored in the second round of the shootout
• The Wildcats are now 1-2 in shootouts this season

How It Happened
1st Period
The Wildcats were whistled for their third penalty of the period, and the Mavericks were able to convert after going 0/2 to start. Evan Murr corralled the faceoff win from the right dot as the power play was ensuing and fired a seeing-eye shot that beat Halasz over the glove hand.

Despite being short-handed four separate times and not getting one power play opportunity, the 'Cats went 3/4 on the PK and only allowed two shots on goal from the Mavericks on four opportunities. Shots were low from both teams in the first, as Mankato edged the 'Cats 5-4. The 'Cats held an edge in the block department with six to four.

2nd Period
The 'Cats started the frame slow but finished with some momentum, earning two power play opportunities before cashing in on five-on-five. A Gallacher shot from the point generated a rebound in the feet of Mankato defensemen and two wildcats. Perbix found the loose puck and jammed away to get the 'Cats even with two minutes left. 

The 'Cats took their first lead of the night off a set faceoff play with 30 seconds to go in the middle frame. Shlaine won the left-circle faceoff back to Kabanov, who cut across the circle and fired a wicked wrister past the goalie to give the 'Cats a 2-1 lead going into the third.

The 'Cats struggled to find shots in the first 10 minutes of the second period, but turned it around and outshot the 'Mavs 8-1 to go along with the two goals in the final half of the frame. Overall, the 'Cats outshot the 'Mavs 8-6 and won 12 of 20 faceoffs with four more blocks.

3rd Period
Moments after Halasz made a sprawling save to dive back and keep the puck from crossing the goal line, Sam Morton and Lucas Sowder were sprung on a two-on-one, as Morton fed Sowder to beat Halasz going from left to right, tying the game at 2-2 with just over 10 minutes left.

The 'Cats survived the rush from the Mavericks at the end of the third, and both teams earned a point as they skated to the overtime frame. Through 60 minutes, the 'Mavs outshot the 'Cats 21-17 and edged NMU 31-25 in the faceoff dot. The 'Cats blocked 21 shots the Mankato's 12. 

Overtime
After a handful of great chances for both teams at each end, the 'Cats were whistled for a too-many-men penalty with 46 seconds remaining in the overtime frame. Shlaine made a great play in his own end to disrupt the Mankato defensemen and earn a breakaway opportunity, forcing the Mavericks to take a penalty to deny the one-on-one opportunity. 

Shootout
The Mavericks scored first, but back-to-back goals from Slukynsky and Kabanov earned the Wildcats the extra point from Mankato. 

Up Next
Game two from Mankato is on tap for tomorrow at 7:07 p.m. ET.